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Dante Exum lands NBA trading cards deal

Dante Exum's stocks are rising - and rising fast, with the Australian basketball sensation to have his own NBA trading cards within six months.

The 18-year-old has signed a lucrative deal with the world's largest sports and entertainment collectibles company to release the cards and a limited number of autographed memorabilia starting from October.

The agreement with Panini America comes more than two months out from the June 26 NBA draft, in which Exum's a projected top-five pick.

Hot property: Dante Exum. Photo: Eddie Jim

Panini chief executive Mark Warsop labelled Exum one of the "most talented and intriguing players" in a rich 2014 draft and will be a "rookie cornerstone" in the next NBA season.

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"His NBA trading cards and autographed memorabilia will be in high demand from the beginning and will attract an international fan base," Warsop said.

Exum said it was an honour to link up with the company.

"I look forward to helping them create some great cards and memorabilia - and to doing everything I can on the court and off to keep their values high," he said.

The Victorian-born point guard has been widely tipped to link up with the Los Angeles Lakers after signing with the same agent as Kobe Bryant. He's also spent time around the Lakers locker room in recent months.